Parshas Behar

By Dr. Nosson Chayim Leff

Sfas Emes, Zechuso Tagein Aleinu, Parshas Behar, 5632

The Sfas Emes starts by alluding to the first paragraph of Medrash
Rabba of Parshas Behar. The Medrash, in turn, quotes a pasuk in
Mishlei (18:21): "Maves vechayim beyad halashon". (ArtScroll: "Death
and life are in the power of the tongue.")

Why does the Medrash discuss the power of speech here, in Parshas
Behar? The formal reason is straightforward. Later in the parsha
(25, 17), the Torah tells us to avoid "ona'as devarim", i.e., from
giving people grief -- hurting people -- with what we say. Hence, the
focus on being careful with one's speech. Still, the question
persists. The Torah tells us about "ona'as devarim" well into the
parsha. Why does the Medrash give this topic star billing by
discussing it in its very first paragraph?

I suggest that Chazal chose to focus on the potential good or
potential harm that we can do with what we say because, in fact,
"maves vechaim beyad halashon". That is, our words can do much good
or much harm. A (partial) list of harmful speech includes: foul
language; citing the name of gentile gods; saying things that cause
pain to the listener; saying things that are not true; and, of course,
old reliable -- lashon hara.

By the same token, what we do say can bring much good. Here is an
example of a mode of speech which, when utilized, can increase the
"chayim" -- life and joy -- of which the pasuk in Mishlei speaks.
Unfortunately, many people suffer from low self-esteem. In that
context, it is important to let people know when they are doing a good
job. Why? Because a remark of commendation from an outside observer
can help replace self-doubt with self-confidence. And a deserved pat
on the back can correct the distorted self-image from which a person
with low self-esteem typically suffers.

To drive home the point that our speech can be either highly
destructive or highly constructive, the Medrash provides some
metaphors. One metaphor speaks of a burning coal. If a person uses
his mouth to breathe on the ember, he can revive its fire. By
contrast, if the person uses his mouth to spit on the coal, he will
extinguish its fire.

Mention of the burning coal draws the Sfas Emes into the discussion.
Certainly, he explains, HaShem's chiyus is present throughout
Creation. For when He created the world, Hashem used the Torah, which
we know is compared to fire. Hence, just as the burning coal radiates
fire, so too does HaShem's Presence permeate all Creation. But HaShem
created the world in such a manner that the Torah , with its light and
its warmth, is hidden, as in the burning coal.

Further, the metaphor of the burning coal -- whose internal fire is
not apparent -- brings with it a major responsibility for us. For,
continues the Sfas Emes, we are charged with the mission of searching
for (and finding!) the illumination of the Torah that is present
everywhere.

These are truly beautiful thoughts; but what do they mean? What does
the Sfas Emes have in mind when he says that we can -- and indeed,
must -- find the Torah's illumination in every thing in the world? I
emphasize that what follows here in an effort to answer this question
is only le'anius da'ati -- i. e. comes only from my very limited
knowledge. But the issues here are so important that it is worth
trying to address the question.

We need some help. I suggest that we can get the necessary help from
R. Nachman of Breslov (z'ta). On the very first page of his sefer
Likutei Maharan, R' Nachman writes:

That is: "For a Jew must always look for the seichel
(intelligence/rationality/logic) that is present in all things.
And he should attach himself to the knowledge and the rationality
present in every thing will provide him with light, and thus
enable him to come closer to HaShem via that thing."

R. Nachman is telling us that HaShem built rationality into the world.
(When I say "rationality", I refer to such features as
cause/effect. -- in counter-distinction to randomness or chaos.)
Hence, by observing the world around us and learning how it works, we
can be aware of HaShem's Presence. And the rationality that we
perceive can bring us closer to HaShem.

These ideas of R' Nachman can help clarify a key thought of the Sfas
Emes that may previously have been obscure. I refer to the Sfas
Emes's recurring dictum that what we do in our work during the
weekdays -- our asiya; our ma'aseh -- can be a form of avoda (serving
HaShem, worship). Some possibilities for avoda (worship) in the course
of avoda (weekday work) come readily to mind. An obvious example is
the physicist or the biologist who marvel at the uncanny way with
which HaShem put this world together. But R. Nachman's insight shows
us that the potential for avoda (service of HaShem) in the course of
one's weekday avoda (work) also exists in more humble occupations.

For example, consider the case of a salesperson who sells shoes.
Rationality here would require that he find the shoe that truly fits a
customer's feet. The salesperson searches -- using trial-and-error as
well as measurement -- until he finds the right shoe. By finding the
accurate solution to his problem, the salesperson brings to light the
presence of rationality -- and hence, HaShem -- in his world. (You
may find this example farfetched. If so, it probably means that you
have never encountered the irrationality of buying and wearing a pair
of shoes that did not fit.)

Likewise, consider a bond trader who detects a possibility for
profitable arbitrage. That opportunity reflects irrationality --
i.e., momentary disequilibrium in the market. Hence, by executing
trades that correct the disequilibrium, the bond trader is bringing
about rationality, and thus revealing HaShem's presence in his weekday
activity.

More generally, the same possibility for avoda is open in any context
where a person solves problems. By "figuring things out", a person
can find the rationality that HaShem built into the situation. But
like the fire in the ember, the rationality cannot be perceived unless
we make an effort. By trying to understand the logic of a phenomenon
or of a situation, a person can bring himself closer to HaShem.

An Epilogue

In an earlier version of this shiur, when I mentioned the the bond
trader who was taking advantage of an arbitrage opportunity, a
professional bond trader raised a basic objection. This bond trader
had much experience in buying and selling financial assets. He had
never felt that by executing trades for profitable arbitrage, he was
revealing rationality, and hence, HaShem's presence.

This bond trader's objection brought to mind a story about Shelomo
Hamelech (King Solomon). One day while traveling on the road, Shelomo
Hamelech encountered two men who were transporting a heavy stone. The
king stopped and asked them what they were doing. The first person
replied, "I am carrying a heavy stone". The second man answered, "I
am building the Beis Hamikdash!". The moral of the story as it
applies to our bond trader? It helps to see oneself in accurate
metaphysical context.